« Wednesday Links Fencing In Bob Dylan »

August 13, 2008

Homeless Intake Center Plan Provokes Broad Opposition

Community outrage at the city's plan to relocate the the homeless intake center for all five boroughs to the Bedford-Atlantic Armory in Crown Heights reached fever pitch last night at a special Community Board 8 meeting attended by Deputy Commissioner of the City’s Department of Homeless Services George Nashak and three of his staff members. In his introductory remarks, Nashak emphasized that as part of the plan to bring the intake center to the armory, Crown Heights would be benefiting from a net reduction in beds from 350 to 230. This didn't fly with the crowd, one of whom pointed out that this reduction would really only result in Crown Heights having four times the number of beds of the average neighborhood from five. Several members of the audience tried to paint a picture for Nashak of what a negative impact the homeless shelter has on the surrounding area—and were met with pat, bureaucratic answers. One man who had recently spent three months in the armory shelter because of mental illness described crack being smoked openly and sex being solicited, which contrasted sharply with Nashak's efforts to talk up DHS's track record and reliability going forward. The combined effect: Nashak came off looking out of touch with the reality of the situation in and around the shelter. Anger mounted, and several local residents, including a Roman Catholic priest who had grown up and works in the neighborhood, boiled the issue down to one of respect and race. "This neighborhood has always been treated like a dumping ground...This process would not have happened this way in Bay Ridge. All we're asking is that you treat us with respect." Several residents pointed out that the community had spent decades lifting itself up by its bootstraps and now that it was finally reaping the fruits of its labors, the city was trying to push it back down again. "[This plan] shows the highest level of disrespect to the community," said State Senator Eric Adams, vowing to challenge DHS in court. (In addition to Adams, reps of Mayor Bloomberg, Councilmember Avella, and Senator Montgomery were also in the audience.) Letitia James closed out the meeting calling for the closure of the Peter Young shelter, which is around the corner from the armory and houses a significant number of sex offenders and encouraging residents to attend a State Assembly hearing on the shelter relocation that will take place on September 19 at 10 a.m. in room 1923 at 250 Broadway in Manhattan. Perhaps the most moving moment of the evening was when one elderly woman described the sense of hope and optimism the community had had when Roger Green had first put forth the plan for turning the armory into a community center, and it was in turn approved by the Parks Department and Community Board 8, only to watch Park Slope have its armory spiffed up into a beautiful athletic facility while the residents of Crown Heights were left with a shelter and all the problems that come with it. "This is an insult to the community," she said. Indeed it is.
Pols Gather to Pan Crown Heights Homeless Plan [Brownstoner]
March, Rally Held Over Crown Heights Homeless Plan [Brownstoner]




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:00 AM | Comments (40)
Categories: Crown Heights, Quality of Life

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.brownstoner.com/mte/mt-tb.cgi/5861

Comments

Hell Yeah and well done. See you all on the 19th--Let's keep the momentum going

Posted by: HomeSweetstuy at August 13, 2008 9:17 AM

I want that Ray Charles painting.

Posted by: LilHouseNBklyn at August 13, 2008 9:38 AM

This was an amazing meeting. First of all, it was so packed, they could have easily filled a space twice the size of the room we were in. The audience was a polyglot of the community. We had young, old, black, white, Asian, Latino, singles, families, gays, and straights. Everyone who asked a question during the Q&A period was well informed, amazingly polite, considering the nonsense that was being thrust upon us, and extremely well spoken. Fr. Buchanan, the pastor of St. Gregory's RC Church, was amazing. As another pastor I know always says, "He broke it down for us", and refuted Nashak's positions, point by point. Speaker after speaker told of the problems constituted by the way the shelter is run today, and no one in the room had any doubt that it would be any better run in the future.

In spite of all of the community opposition, Nashak didn't look or sound as if he cared one bit what we thought. When told about open drug use in the shelter by someone who was IN that shelter, he denied crime took place. When told that the men were kicked out into the street in the morning, and spent all day hanging out in the nearby streets, he said that no one is denied entrance to the shelter during the day. He spoke of programs offered during the day for the men. I was standing near the gentleman who had been a resident of the shelter, who laughed out loud at that one. He said there are no programs instituted there to help the homeless find jobs, receive training, or permanent housing. The biggest howl of disbelief occurred when Nashak actually stood there and said that the average stay at the shelter was one night. The room erupted in disbelief.

Our community had their facts and figures TOGETHER. Questioner after questioner cited statistics showing that we are oversaturated for social services. One resident, whom I know is an attorney, asked Nashak to show compliance to city ordinances regarding social service facilities being spread throughout communities. Several people cited recent lawsuits filed by homeless advocates. CHARM, which has been the go to group opposed to the intake shelter, had every relevant fact and figure at hand. Nashak couldn’t beat that, and I think he was really surprised that we were not a bunch of dumb people beliving that anything the city proposes must be alright with us. The cynical moment of the night was the carrot and stick offer he condescendingly gave us, when he said that in return for having the intake center, the city would look into turning the parade ground part of the armory into a sports facility/recreation center. Gee, thanks.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 13, 2008 9:39 AM

And don't hold your breath MM, for that sports facility. that's like being patted on the head and told if you eat your carrots you can have a brand new sports car. Maybe. And with the way things are going in the City, that is a big maybe.

But Mayor Mike seriously underestimates the people of Crown Heights. He thinks working class and poor people must be guided through life because he obviously knows so much better than we do what we need. That kind of paternalism is sickening.


Sorry I couldn't make the meeting last night. what's this about the 19th?

Posted by: bxgrl at August 13, 2008 9:54 AM

That should have read that "no one had any confidence that it (the shelter) would be any better run in the future."

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 13, 2008 9:56 AM

I work around the corner from the Armory and can tell you first hand what a BAD idea it would be to convert this building into a homeless shelter intake facility. That is not the direction that this part of Bed Stuy-Crown Heights is heading toward and would be a big mistake on many levels. This area has a very strong block association and a coordinated group of block associations dedicated to keeping the area in check I know b/c they've approached me about some issues they have with my building). What is the reason they want to move the current intake from Bellevue Hospital? What benefit would this be for the community? More importantly, what are the benefits to the residents of the shelter (current and future)? If people have to come to Atlantic Ave. to determine which shelter and in what borough they ultimately go to, imagine the mess of people who can't navigate the C-train to Franklin Ave. and then find the shelter on Atlantic and Bedford. If you're going to put an intake facility in Brooklyn, this is not the right place due to transportation issues alone! Personally, I like the idea of building something for this purpose by the proposed Atlantic Yards -area. It's by a major transportation hub and would be a good use of tax dollars. BTW - There are visiting nurses and psychiatrists at the Atlantic Ave. men's shelter, but the need far outweighs the resources. This is a funding issues that is -- and will continue to be in growing numbers -- a serious quality of life issues for many, many communities. Whatever your political affiliation, pray for an increase in funding for hospitals and other social service organizations. Otherwise this issue will be in all of our front yards in ways we currently cannot even imagine.

Posted by: MacD at August 13, 2008 9:59 AM

I posted this yeasterday on a thread. I am posting it again to give you some perspective as to whether or not there will be funding for anything, budgeted or proposed, over the next few years...

There has been a very worrisome issue out there that was highlighted by Bloomberg News today. The credit rating for NYC is likely to fall with lower tax revenues because all of the banks and brokers and investment banks have booked all these large losses due to writeoffs. These losses are likely to carry through well into the next decade which means that the losses will offset any income these companies have and there will be no taxes payable and no tax revenue coming into the city's coffers.. Where will the tax revenues come from????

The result is that these companies will not be paying any income taxes to NYC and NYC for many years. In fact, since they have prepaid some of these in early 2008 they are looking for refund of that money now.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=a4A3yRSaEHRA

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 13, 2008 10:05 AM

As much NYC likes to think of itself as a world unto itself, we are still part of New York State, and the 19th is the date of the state hearing. From the documentation passed out last night:

NYS Assembly Standing Committee On Social Services
Notice of Public Hearing
Subject: Relocation of Men's Homeless Intake Center from Manhattan to Brooklyn, NY
Purpose: To examine the feasibility adn impact of facility relocation on populations affected

Friday, September 19, 2008
10 AM
Assembly Hearing Room 1923
19th Floor
250 Broadway

If anyone wishes to speak, they have to fill out a form, submit questions, and conform to the rules laid out by the state assembly. See notice and form:

http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/SocServ/20080718/

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 13, 2008 10:12 AM

I was so proud to be a part of this community last night. Not only was every speaker passionate about Crown Heights, be we were also knowledgeable. Mr. Nashak refused to answer certain relevant questions. We all know that he was only there to try and pacify us, but I believe he left that meeting knowing that we are a united group of people who will not stand by and allow this plan to pass without a fight. Crown Heights has had enough!!! We made it known that it's not about us not wanting the homeless in our backyards, but we simply should not be forced to take on the entire homeless population. As another poster mentioned, this is a perfect time to keep the momentum going.

Lastly, Father Buchanan was great!!!

Posted by: faithful at August 13, 2008 10:17 AM

Thanks MM, I'll try to come.

And yes, Daveinbedstuy (DIBS), I saw your post from yesterday and was heartened by the fact that you are aware of not only finance issues as they apply to Wall Street, but also have a larger worldview that includes the community. What, if anything, do you think would work to turn the NYC budget situation around at this late stage in the game? I don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about any of this. And if they try to balance the situation by raising property taxes, we're in for wild snarly ride.

BTW - It would help a lot if Brownstoner could put a spell check on this blog. I type and post very fast in between other obligations and really don't have time to go back and proof everything carefully. A spell check would be very helpful for me (and many others as far as I can tell), so thanks for your consideration Mr. B.

Posted by: MacD at August 13, 2008 10:20 AM

Slight change of subject .....

I have noticed that lots of cops have been stationed outside the armory on the weekends. What is prompting this? If nothing else, it seems to keep people from hanging out outside of the building.

Posted by: 11233 at August 13, 2008 10:23 AM

Is anyone offering legal services to the community on this issue? If so, who is it (contact details). Bad publicity and legal opposition is the best way to stop this (the legal opposition, to the extent there are grounds, is the only option that will have real teeth).

Posted by: 1842 at August 13, 2008 10:25 AM

Legal opposition and financial incentives to go some place else.

Posted by: MacD at August 13, 2008 10:31 AM

I was walking up Pacific the other day, and stopped at the side of the armory to take some photographs of the area for a project I'm working on. A policeman came by and told me I couldn't stand next to the building, and had to move on. He was pretty nice about it, but wasn't having it when I said I was just taking photos. He said I could take all the pictures I want, but not on that side of the street. Directly across the street were about 10 homeless men who hang out there all day, every day. But they are on THAT side of the street. It was surreal.

Long story long, the sidewalks surrounding the armory are pristine and homeless free. The surrounding area, ie directly across the street, and on all of the adjacent corners- who cares, that's not city property. And THAT is the problem.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 13, 2008 10:33 AM

1842, according to State Senator Eric Adams, lawsuits are on their way. He's also going to ask for an injunction to stop any actions that may be already taking place to implement the plan. The relocation of the intake center to our neighborhood is NOT a done deal, by any means.

Incidentally, for those who think Crown Heights people are just another bunch of NIMBYs who hate the homeless, someone told me last night that so many local churches have feeding programs at the Armory that the homeless can't eat it all, and one of the problems for area residents is rotting food and rats in the area, as well as a lack of sanitary facilities. This just gets more and more absurd the more you hear. Obviously, the always open shelter, (according to Mr. Nashak), cannot accomodate the very basic sanitary needs of its residents. How the hell are they going to accomodate the needs of hundreds more people being processed?

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 13, 2008 10:46 AM

Wow MM- you must have made him think you were a terrorist or something. You have to stop thinking the explosive device on a beaded chain is a fashion statement :-)

Since when can't you stand next to the Armory? What's next? Cement barriers in case some crazed little old Church Lady makes a run at the entrance? Cops in the turret doing sentry duty?

All I can think of is that this is a run up to sneaking in the expanded shelter before the community can take effective action. It'll be that much harder to get out once it's a done deal. It's not out of the question- I've seen how the city dealt with firehouses so why not homeless shelters? So long as the city thinks working class neighborhoods are not important, this is how they'll operate.

Posted by: bxgrl at August 13, 2008 10:51 AM

Yeah, Bxgrl, my middle aged self, complete with atrociously unfashionable walking shoes and my large camera, is a threat to the city. I looked more like a tourist at Buckingham palace than one of Osama's minions. Hell, I even need to put on my reading glasses to see if my pictures are in focus. Quake in fear, New York, for I am here!

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 13, 2008 11:03 AM

MacD and DIBS- in view of the whole finance issue, does the City actually view this as the most cost-effective way to deal with the homeless and will they then close the shelters in other boroughs to try to force the homeless to the Armory?

The Armory will be a dumping ground, not a shelter- they don't have programs now for these men. Without funding they'll get even less (if that's possible) help. It can get so much worse because - and I'm guessing since I have no numbers- to the city's way of thinking this is a cheapest (one shelter for all 5 boroughs)solution. On the other hand, the location is not easy for the homeless to get to. Since they would have to have money for the train- it discourages them from coming to the shelter in the first place- cheaper still. Of course this is the shortsighted, let's not look at the actual impact kind of thinking that inflicts damage.

Posted by: bxgrl at August 13, 2008 11:09 AM

I tremble. The rest of you- Get out now while you can! Save yourselves!!!

Posted by: bxgrl at August 13, 2008 11:12 AM

We should be prepared to help think of alternative solutions. Is there an empty/under-utilized facility that is close to a central subway stop? If it must be in Brooklyn (although I'm not sure why they need to move it at all -- Manhattan is better for this kind of thing)it seems to me it really should be downtown. What about the prison that's not being used near Boerum Hill (not that I'm trying to engage 11217 or anything).

Posted by: MacD at August 13, 2008 11:12 AM

Bxgrl : I believe the way it works is that the Homeless Intake Center (now at Bellevue Hospital on the East Side of Manhattan) is simply that -- a place for intaking residents without a place to sleep/live that refers these individuals to other shelters in all of the buroughs. My guess is they would keep the current shelter in place, expand it a bit, but use the majority of the available space as a clearinghouse. People who needed a shelter would come, be evaluated and interviewed, and then sent to the shelter that was deemed best for them. You'd have foot traffic to and from the subway 24/7. If you've ever been near Bellevue you would notice that there are a lot of people walking around the area that seem a bit "off." Most people think these are psych patients, and maybe some are, but I think the majority of them are homeless people (who may also have psychiatric issues) who are going through the intake process, waiting for word about where they are being sent. That's also the kind of foot traffic we would be experiencing from Franklin to Nostrand, Fulton to probably Dean. You think the Police are something now? We'll be wishing there were more of them around here if this comes to pass.

Posted by: MacD at August 13, 2008 11:25 AM

I don't think any even former prison is a viable alternative, if only for the negative connotations. Homelessness is not a crime.(yet) Most homeless people, especially families, are the victims of fires and other personal disasters, or are fleeing abusive spouses, etc. Many other homeless people are actually working people, but just can't find affordable housing, and the waiting lists for city properties are LOOONNGGG. Many other homeless people have mental illnesses that range from the treatable to those who need to be institutionalized. It is not their fault that they have slipped between the cracks and are the victims of budget cuts and cutbacks. They are not criminals unless they have committed a crime, and it sickens me that choices for these people seem to be staying in substandard, dangerous shelters, or taking your chances out on the street. I admire anyone who tries to help, and even those in city gov't who take on the impossible task of trying to solve an unsolvable problem. But warehousing the homeless, or shuffling them around to adjust the numbers per borough or neighborhood is unacceptable in a civilized society.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 13, 2008 11:30 AM

MM - What was formerly Interfaith Medical Center's nurse training facility, and treatment facility with untold number of deaths was recently converted into very expensive rentals and condo's. I'm not suggesting the homeless are criminals, I'm just looking for a real and pragmatic solution. If the former prision I am referring to is viable, I am sure someone will take care of the PR and spin-control around perception.

Posted by: MacD at August 13, 2008 11:33 AM

I guess the City has not bothered to check or doesn't care that the Armory is a bit of a walk to a subway. And this area is not Manhattan- At night there won't be the activity you see on Manhattan streets and for a lot of homeless men who are older, or ill, they are also more vulnerable. I think they simply won't come to the Armory and sleep on the streets. Wasn't that also a problem in Manhattan? People preferred to sleep on the street because the shelters were so much more dangerous?

And sending them to other shelters from the Armory? It's difficult from this location. Do they even give them money for the train?

Posted by: bxgrl at August 13, 2008 11:34 AM

Hi all - longtime lurker, first time poster.

Last night's turnout at the meeting was testament to a lot of hard work by a LOT of people in the community. The days of 20 person rallies on this issue are over. Expect hundreds at the next.

A couple of observations on the DHS presentation last night:

The City is currently saying they will cut the number of “beds” at the shelter from 350 to 230. Yet they maintain that an assessment shelter as well as an intake facility will now occupy that space. Already in 2008 we have seen nights of 250+ people seeking shelter through the existing facility in Manhattan. It is hard to do math on this that does not come out with the City housing 300, 400, 500 people at this location.

An offer from the City to create a rec center at the Armory would be greatly appreciated. Their offer last night, however, to provide half of the money up to $7 million (I’m told that the renovation of the Washington Heights Armory cost $30 million) is not helpful. As we enter a period of time when funding for these kinds of changes is likely to dry up, their offer to cover “half” struck me as pretty cynical.

DHS maintains that they will have an intake facility in Manhattan in addition to the Armory. The dep commissioner admitted, however, that the existing facility in Manhattan is slated to be closed in June of 2009, and that they have not identified another facility to replace it. He essentially said “trust us”.

One wants to trust their elected officials and their appointees. But their performance on this issue has been really intellectually dishonest. They obviously game the numbers when they talk to us, they make us offers they know are worthless, they play dumb when confronted with incontrovertible facts. They clearly just don’t care – which is discouraging. But at least we know where we stand with them.

Posted by: Dr Dean Franklin at August 13, 2008 11:39 AM

The community in Brooklyn Heights will scream and yell. They already have been about the prison which has never caused problems in the area (I used to live less than 2 blocks away). but putting a homeless shelter there will certainly require expensive renovations and I don't see the city wanting to spend the money.

In general the city pushes and then waits to see who pushes back the hardest. Wealthier neighborhoods have more resources and access to lawyers, etc. to fight the city. So of course their nimbyism becomes the problem for other, less wealthy neighborhoods. Like Crown Heights. Which is not to say that Crown Heights can't fight this- I think the City made a serious mistake in thinking we would not pull together and stick up for our neighborhood. they also made a mistake in thinking there is no political, financial or professional power in this neighborhood.

Posted by: bxgrl at August 13, 2008 11:42 AM

Regarding earlier comments on finances, the DHS has cited long-term cost savings as one of several justifications for moving the intake center to Brooklyn.

However, the NYC Comptroller William C. Thompson has publicly contested their "alleged" cost-benefit analysis and he is opposed to moving the intake center. He criticizes the DHS for its "failure to use an open and transparent process" and notes that "DHS operations remain opaque and plagued by accounting irregularities." This is all from his in a public letter to Mayor Bloomberg - http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2008_releases/pr08-06-095.shtm,

As a city agency, DHS should be held accountable for its dismal record and be more inclusive and transparent in its decision-making process.

This is not just a Brooklyn issue - the DHS has been negligent in representing the best interests of the people of the city as a whole, financially and socially...and they refuse to release any records, which is an abuse of public trust.

The Manhattan Community Board where the current intake center at Bellevue is located also opposes the move, as does the Manhattan Borough President because they know it is bad policy and will lead to more homeless on the streets.

NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum is opposed to the plan as are the vast majority of homeless advocacy groups. Gotbaum cited the "deplorable" conditions at the Bedford armory and adds that selling the Manhattan center for the construction of a luxury hotel is "just outrageous."

Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs (who used to be head of DHS) is determined to push this through, but when will she and DHS learn that they can't sneak things through behind closed doors? The DHS has been running things like this for so long and it's time for the NY press and involved communities to expose them for these abysmal practices.

Posted by: nycnyc at August 13, 2008 11:47 AM

I am incredibly proud of the Crown Heights community for the advocacy and activism reported here; don't give up the fight! Money quote: "This process would not have happened this way in Bay Ridge." Oh, no, indeed it would not. But speaking of quotes: Are you guys getting any media on this fight? You will live and die by the coverage you get, not by the Rightness of your Cause. If you haven't already, then: Somebody with Media Whore Expertise, start cultivating a couple of reporters and grooming a few of your best spokespeople (Fr. Buchanan sounds like a likely candidate.) Put together an electronic press kit, no matter how simple, and start firing it at an updated press list. Then follow up with personal phone calls to news desks. Boil your story down to something a bimbo can recite into a microphone on a live shot ("Crown Heights, just emerging from years of crime and neglect into a middle-class neighborhood, fights the city's efforts to flood its streets with troubled homeless men"...)Rehearse your messages and stick to them. Think up a demo to stage, preferably one with cute kids involved. holding signs that say "I want to play in a safe neighborhood." It's SLOW SEASON in the news biz...you shouldn't have trouble getting more heat and light than you're getting now.

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at August 13, 2008 11:48 AM

Start with News 12 Brooklyn and NY1. They are easier to get time.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 13, 2008 11:57 AM

The only alternative solution that makes sense - and which was part of Bloomberg's 2004 original plan - is to have de-centralized intake centers (one in each borough) for people seeking emergency shelter. Easy access, localized services.

The plan for de-centralization was already in motion, and groups had already bid (or were even chosen?) to operate these intake centers, but the DHS pulled the plug at the last minute.

Some cynics say it's because the DHS wants direct control over the intake center(s) so they can keep down numbers and costs lower, maybe by making it harder get in (total cost of providing a single shelter bed including facilities and services is $24,000 per year)...something stinks at the DHS. Definitely more for a reporter to investigate here.

Posted by: nycnyc at August 13, 2008 11:59 AM

The intake center move to Crown Heights is a totally cynical move by the mayor and DHS. As many posters have pointed out, less people needing shelter will show up in CH for a variety of reasons, and DHS and the mayor will then claim victory in reducing the shelter population. It's nasty business.

Posted by: tinarina at August 13, 2008 12:07 PM

tinarina has a point...Until I moved to Brooklyn I would not have known how to get there either. And I'm neither homeless nor psychotic.

Make no further comments on the latter part of my last sentence..

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 13, 2008 12:22 PM

In response to Brenda From Flatbush's and daveinbedstuy's excellent suggestions about the media, I believe CHaRM is putting together a media kit. The community has also gotten traction in bringing out the media. Last night's event had reporters from the NYTimes, The NY Sun, the Daily News, AM New York, The Amsterdam News and City Limits in attendance, all scribbling and clicking.

And, of course, someone from Brownstoner.

Posted by: Dr Dean Franklin at August 13, 2008 12:46 PM

where is New York magazine with all of this!!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 13, 2008 12:47 PM

NY Mag will interview 2-3 young homeless people and in only a matter of days, create a cover story called "The New Slumming."

Posted by: tinarina at August 13, 2008 1:08 PM

coffee spray!! tinarina- that was hysterical!

Posted by: bxgrl at August 13, 2008 1:47 PM

The NIMBY's in Brooklyn Heights & Boerum Hill are complaining about the re-opening of a jail that predated the recent building boom. A jail that many old-time residents admit, did not adversly affect the community.

Imagine their response if the city were to convert the jail building into a homeless intake center. It would actually make more sense. The jail is close to transportation and social service agencies. I know someone who works for DHS and lives in Boerum Hill who is in favor of the Armory Intake Center project but opposed to the jail opening in his neighborhood. I want to make the next meeting just to call him out on this.

Although I am not a resident of Crown Heights, I am definitely against this project and concerned for my Crown Heights neighbors. I hate to play the race/economics card but this would have never been considered in Park Slope or Bay Ridge or Boerum Hill/Brooklyn Heights for that matter.

Posted by: Chaka at August 13, 2008 2:08 PM

very true Chaka. You're not playing any race/economics card. It's a fact. Can anyone look at the planning policies of the Bloomberg administration and really say otherwise? Crown Heights has more than its fair share of shelters and social services. Manhattan gets another luxury hotel and we get more responsibility for the homeless.

Posted by: bxgrl at August 13, 2008 2:43 PM

MacD or anyone that wants the intake shelter moved to the Atlantic Yards -area, we have enough crap now with no end in sight!! When they build AY your neighborhood will suffer also..... We're bursting at the seams now.... moving it a few blocks away will never help you....

Posted by: AYINFONYC at August 14, 2008 8:43 AM

Brownstoner:

Check out today's, Thursday's, New York Sun (www.nysun.com). In the real estate section there's excellent video and pix of Crown Heights and the controversy.

Wow, my old neighborhood looks good, better than in the 50's when I grew up there! The shots of the armory against surrounding brownstones are particularly striking. Growing up, we kids never thought about architecture and style. Everything just seemed old. But now! No wonder people are spending six and seven figures for Crown Heights beauties.

For Mayor Bloomberg and his staff to compromise so wonderful a neighborhood is bad planning, pure and simple. Happy to see the community resist -- and so eloquently, as the video shows.

Nostalgic on Park Avenue

Posted by: NOP at August 14, 2008 11:12 AM

Post a comment

Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.

Latest Restaurant Additions